Biblical Literacy

The Bible and It's Influence

E.D. Hirsch wrote in his book, “Cultural Literacy” these words recording the importance of people having a knowledge of the Bible. “The Bible is the most widely known book in the English-speaking world. No one in the English-speaking world can be considered literate without a basic knowledge of the Bible. Literate people in India, whose religious traditions are not based on the Bible but whose common language is English, must know the Bible in order to understand English within their own country. All educated speakers of American English need to understand what is meant when:

1. Someone describes a contest as being between DAVID and Goliath
2. Or whether a person who has the “wisdom of Solomon” is wise or foolish
3. Or whether saying, “My cup runneth over” means the person feels fortunate or unfortunate.

Those who cannot use or understand such allusions cannot fully participate in literate English. Hirsch goes on to say, “The Bible is essential for understanding many of the moral and spiritual values of our culture, whatever our religious beliefs. The story of ABRAHAM and ISAAC concerns our deepest feelings about the relations between parents and children. The story of JOB is a major representation in our tradition of being patient during suffering. The PARABLES and sayings of JESUS, such as “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” are so often alluded to that they need to be known by Americans of all faiths.

The linguistic and cultural importance of the Bible is a fact that no one denies. Nonetheless, elementary knowledge of the Bible has declined among young people in recent years. No person in the modern world can be considered educated without a basic knowledge of all the great religions of the world – ISLAM, CONFUCIANISM, TAOISM, BUDDHISM, HINDUISM, JUDAISM and CHRISTIANITY. But our knowledge of Judaism and Christianity needs to be more detailed than that of other great religions, if only because of the historical truths that have been embedded the Bible in our thought and language.”

Introduction to Biblical Literacy

Dayspring has compiled a booklet designed to be used to aid in the process of maturing believers from “acorns to oaks.” The analogy of a tree being planted, taking root, and growing into an oak models the process of how a believer in Christ progresses from the “elementary teaching” of Hebrews 6:1,2 to be “rooted and established” in Ephesians 3:17 and finally becoming “oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor” in Isaiah 61:3. As an oak tree always has new growth taking place as long as it is alive, so too a believer continues in growth for the duration of this life.

These materials are divided into four different categories that provide a basic guide for teaching people at different stages of growth, as defined below. They are intended as an overview of the knowledge believers should have at various stages in life and a means of providing a “big picture” view of all of Scriptures. The four categories are defined as follows:

Young New Believers

For youths growing up in the church or those who become believers as children.

Adult New Believers

For those who become believers as adults with little or no church background.

Maturing Saints

Those with a solid understanding of the basic stories and teachings of the Bible and who have moved beyond the “elementary teachings” of Scripture (Hebrews 6:1,2).

Oaks of Righteousness

Those with a thorough understanding of Scripture and who are capable of teaching, and defending the Bible while continuing to grow in knowledge and model the Christian life to following generations.

The goal for each of these categories is “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4:12,13